Effect of an Artificial Caudal Fin on the Performance of a Biomimetic Fish Robot Propelled by Piezoelectric Actuators

This paper addresses the design of a biomimetic fish robot actuated by piezoeeramic actuators and the effect of artificial caudal fins on the fish robot＇s performance. The limited bending displacement produced by a lightweight piezocomposite actuator was amplified and transformed into a large tail beat motion by means of a linkage system. Caudal fins that mimic the shape of a mackerel fin were fabricated for the purpose of examining the effect of caudal fm characteristics on thrust production at an operating frequency range. The thickness distribution of a real mackerel＇s fin was measured and used to design artificial caudal fins. The thrust performance of the biomimetic fish robot propelled by fins of various thicknesses was examined in terms of the Strouhal number, the Froude number, the Reynolds number, and the power consumption. For the same fm area and aspect ratio, an artificial caudal fin with a distributed thickness shows the best forward speed and the least power consumption.     

无线数字间接检眼镜问世

眼科仪器设备领军企业英国凯乐（Keeler）推出新型Vantage Plus Digital数字间接检眼镜。该镜保留了Vantage Plus LED原先所有的特点,并且又增加了一个集成化的摄像机,能以数字格式来记录动态的视频片段以及静止的图像。这些图像可以通过一个USB接口传送到电脑中去,并且与任何能够通过USB接口接收视频图像输入信号的视频装置兼容。     

麦类作物多胚的研究

对高原602双胚苗的细胞学进行了研究,有3种类型2n-2n、2n-3n和2n-n,出现频率分别为0．16％、0．02％和0．02％。在2n-2n型里,又发现了形态上的差异,即2n（顶芒）-2n（长芒）。对单倍体育种和三倍体的起源进行了讨论。     

广西木论自然保护区铁榄群落主要乔木种群格局的分形特征

为了揭示种群空间分布特征随尺度的变化规律,探讨不同种群对空间资源的占据能力和生态适应能力及分形差异,采用计盒维数、信息维数和关联维数对木论自然保护区铁榄群落主要乔木种群格局特征进行了研究。结果表明,优势种铁榄（Sinosideroxylon pedunculatum）、东女贞（Ligustrum japonicum）、小栾树（Boniodendron minius）、稀有濒危种掌叶木（Handeliodendron bodinieri）、青檀（Pteroceltis tatarinowii）5个种群在相应的尺度具有明显的分形特征;计盒维数和信息维数大小顺序一致,均为：铁榄〉东女贞〉小栾树〉掌叶木〉青檀;在5个种群中,铁榄计盒维数为1．7763最大,接近2,对空间环境的占据能力最强,信息维数（1．7206）也最大,个体聚集强度强,在群落中处于绝对优势地位,青檀计盒维数（0．8316）和信息维数（0．8990）最小,对环境的占据利用能力弱,个体聚集程度整体较弱,在群落中处于伴生地位;在0．5～50m的尺度上,关联维数大小顺序为：铁榄（1．7314）〉东女贞（1．6688）〉小栾树（1．6050）〉青檀（0．7868）,而掌叶木只有在大的尺度上才出现关联,且关联较强。3个分形维数大小的不同组合,能够全面揭示不同种群格局特征和种群在群落中所处地位的差异。     

Fractal root system of Melica przewalskyi along different aspect in degraded grassland

Aims Fractal root system is phenotypic plasticity result of plant root architecture to respond to environmental heterogeneity, may reflect the growth strategy of plants to adapt to environmental conditions. Our objective was to explore the relationship between root fractal dimension and fractal abundance of fractal root system of Melica przewalskyi population in response to aspect variation in the northwest of China. Methods The study site was located in a degraded alpine grassland on the northern slope in Qilian Mountains, Gansu Province, China. Survey and sampling were carried out at 40 plots which were set up along four slope aspects transects with 20 m distance between adjacent plots. Handheld GPS was used to determine the elevation, longitude and latitude of each plot. ArcGIS was used to set up digital elevation model (DEM). Community traits were investigated and six individuals roots of M. przewalskyi were collected randomly at each plot. The samples were cleaned and divided into different organs, then scanning the root with the Win-RHIZO for measurements of fractal dimension and fractal abundance in laboratory, and their biomass were then measured after being dried at 80 °C in an oven. Important findings With the slope aspect turned from north to east, west, and south, the density, height and soil moisture content of the plant community displayed a pattern of initial decline, the height, density, root fractal abundance of M. przewalskyi increased and the root fractal dimension decreased. The root fractal dimension was negatively associated with the fractal abundance in all aspects, but the relationship varied along the slope aspects gradient; there was a highly significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) between the root fractal dimension and fractal abundance at north slope and south slope aspect, whereas the correlation only reached a significant level (p < 0.05) at the east slope aspect and west slope aspect; indicating that there is a trade-off between the root fractal dimension and fractal abundance. In addition, when the slope aspect changed from north to east, west and south, the standardized major axis (SMA) slope of the regression equation in the scaling relationships between root fractal dimension and fractal abundance increased (p < 0.05), indicating that the roots of M. przewalskyi at the droughty southern slope have less branch and more sparse in the same soil volume of root exploitation and utilization. Consequently, the resource allocation pattern on reasonable trade-off between root fractal dimension and fractal abundance in different slope aspect of M. przewalskyi, reflects the relationship between the income and the cost of construction of plant root architecture.     

江西吉安灰头麦鸡的繁殖生态研究

灰头麦鸡Vanellus cinereus在江西吉安地区是夏候鸟.2010 ～2011年对当地灰头麦鸡的繁殖生态进行了调查研究.结果表明,当地灰头麦鸡最早2月20日迁入,最晚9月17日迁离,居留时间约为7个月;3月初开始产卵,平均窝卵数3.8枚(n=14),平均卵大小48.0 mm×34.5 mm,平均卵重28.8 g(n =38);产满窝卵后即开始孵卵,孵卵由雌雄鸟共同承担;孵卵期为28 ～31 d;孵化率为90.15％.     

生物实验数据的某些非线性分析方法

简要介绍常用的非线性动力学参量,结合生物学实验数据的特点,给出几种最新的分析方法.     

小麦中国春-Synthetic 6x代换系的光合速率与产量性状研究

以中国春(Chinese Spring-Synthetic 6x)代换系及其亲本为材料,通过测定旗叶光合速率在各生育时期的变化,研究外源染色体对光合作用的效应;通过观测产量性状,分析外源染色体对小麦产量性状的调控效应.结果表明,从孕穗到灌浆期,5A、5B代换系叶片的光合速率显著高于中国春,说明来自Synthetic 6x的5A、5B染色体上可能携有改良光合特征的相关有利基因;5A、5B代换系的每穗粒数、单穗粒重、千粒重均显著或极显著高于中国春,说明来自Synthetic 6x的5A、5B染色体上可能携有改良每穗粒数、单穗粒重、千粒重有关的有利基因,研究结果可以为小麦的遗传育种提供理论依据.